Sunday, January 25, 2009
By Sean Barron
The sum of others’ sacrifices, suffering and triumphs paved the way for Obama’s presidency, the keynote speaker said.
COITSVILLE — The seeds that allowed Barack Obama to rise to become the nation’s 44th president were planted and cultivated during his childhood.
One such seed was his family and community constantly telling Obama that he could be successful and achieve what he put his mind to.
Since entering the campaign for the country’s highest office, Obama has, in turn, inspired many young people to reach higher, but the president alone can’t keep the bar raised for them. That’s largely the responsibility of family and community.
Those were key messages offered during Saturday’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. luncheon at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6488, 2065 Coitsville-Hubbard Road.
About 150 people attended the program and luncheon, hosted by the post’s ladies auxiliary. It paid tribute to King’s legacy and Obama’s becoming president, while drawing a variety of connections between the two.
“I think 2009 will be the collision of dreams and visions coming together,” said the Rev. Lewis Macklin, pastor of Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church and the event’s keynote speaker.
Paving the way toward making Obama’s presidency possible, he noted, were people who had made sacrifices and suffered by participating in civil rights marches, for example, but endured. It’s imperative that young people hear from their elders what it was like to deal with discrimination, unequal pay, segregated facilities and other societal ills, the Rev. Mr. Macklin said.
Even though Obama and the relationships he has with his wife, Michelle, and two daughters are excellent examples for youngsters and others to follow, it falls to parents, community leaders, teachers and others to be everyday positive forces for kids and teenagers, he said.
“We must present young people with role models they can emulate,” Mr. Macklin added. “Our children need to see us in action.”
Youngsters also must understand that it will take certain sacrifices on their part to help move the country forward. It’s important to get them beyond striving simply for instant gratification, Mr. Macklin explained.
Obama realizes that much of his success will depend on his ability to work with people of all faiths, political leanings, colors and backgrounds, just as King formed coalitions with Jews and numerous other groups outside his community, he noted.
If he were alive, King would likely be “a champion in the arena of health care and quality of life for all,” Mr. Macklin said.
Sharing his experiences at Obama’s inauguration Tuesday was U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, who called it “a truly momentous occasion.”
Ryan recalled how some people came from California only to find they were unable to get in. Nevertheless, there were no violent incidents; feelings of unity and pride overcame their anger, he said.
Obama’s presidency will likely cause the country to again live up to its core ideals and principles and move it in a better direction regarding race relations, Ryan predicted.
“Obama has raised the level of expectations not just for African-Americans, but for all of us,” he added.
Also at the luncheon was the presentation of a Trail Blazer Award to Jesse L. Carter Sr., who in 1960 was the first black appointed to the Youngstown Fire Department. Carter, a 1948 graduate of The Rayen School, formerly on Youngstown’s North Side, who served 33 years with the department, was honored for his work in the community.
The program also featured remarks by Herman “Pete” Starks, former Youngstown 2nd Ward councilman, and Clarence Smith, chairman of the Mahoning County Republican Party.
Starks shared recollections of having attended King’s historic March on Washington on Aug. 28, 1963.